Mix-ups and confusion can slow down everything for local governments — and these mistakes can add up to an expensive problem for strained municipalities.
In many communities, postponed or missed inspections or reviews can dramatically increase permit turnaround times and prevent work from getting started. The problems are clear:
- Contractors are forced to wait
- Project costs are increased
- Revenue is reduced for the city because of late fees or delays in development
Instead of seeing timely growth in the community, staff and residents can become frustrated and unsatisfied with the system.
Overbooking inspectors, complicated scheduling, and inefficient routes can unnecessarily slow down work — but the right inspection scheduling software can make all the difference, helping municipalities keep up with even the busiest building booms.
1. Overbooking Inspectors
Manually coordinating everything or relying on outdated systems can all too easily lead to overbooked inspectors — and it’s only a matter of time before that results in inspection delays.
Before you know it, inspectors can start to suffer from:
- Extra stress
- Delays
- Burnout
On top of that, impossible-to-meet schedules are a recipe for missed inspections, delaying everything for contractors and citizens.
Adopting the latest inspection scheduling software and relying on digital scheduling tools can help balance the workload by automatically setting optimal routes and making it easy to see who has time to take on another task and who is already at capacity.
2. Losing Access in the Field
When inspectors can’t update results immediately wherever they are — especially while out in the field —problems are bound to happen.
When staff have to gather photos and notes at the site and then return to the office to re-enter the exact same information, duplicate work and inefficient use of time become the norm.
That’s why a municipality’s inspection scheduling software should be designed to make work in the field as efficient as possible.
Modern community development software, such as Cloudpermit, offers powerful ways to get more done outside the office, including a mobile inspections app that works even without internet or cell service — eliminating duplicate work.
3. Ignoring Location Logistics
One of the biggest inspection scheduling mistakes is wasting time, and nothing bogs down the process more than poor route planning.
Sending an inspector to one edge of the municipality and then scheduling them to be across town immediately afterward will inevitably result in time spent in traffic or on the road, leading to incomplete inspections.
Optimizing routes to cover more ground can help staff accomplish more each day, completing the workload rather than adding to it.
By relying on GIS-integrated inspection scheduling software, officials can maximize staff productivity and optimize their workday.
4. Not Prioritizing Time-Sensitive Projects
Not all inspections have the same level of urgency, and if your municipality treats everything equally, it could lead to significant problems.
Some things need immediate attention, such as:
- Emergency permits
- Fire damage inspections
- Expiring construction phases
The right community development software can recognize the time-sensitive nature of certain projects, using automation and customizable rules that help prioritize work rather than slow it down.
5. Complicated Scheduling
Disconnected systems or outdated processes can make it hard to have the right up-to-date information — especially when it comes to calendars.
Modern scheduling software can simplify the process with:
- Dispatching that can automatically sort by availability or qualifications
- Outlook calendar events that can be pulled into dispatching systems
- Convenient new ways of showing unavailable times to avoid double-booking
With streamlined scheduling and accurate calendars, more inspections can be completed on time, keeping community development on track.
It’s Time for the Right Inspection Scheduling Software
If your municipality’s work is bogged down by overbooked inspectors, no mobile access, inefficient routes, and ignoring the urgency of certain projects, it’s time to make a change.
Modern inspection scheduling software can make every part of the process smoother and more efficient, allowing staff to focus on their important work rather than re-entering information or struggling to get the job done in the field.
Cloudpermit’s dispatching makes it possible to pull Outlook calendar events and automatically sort by availability or qualifications, making scheduling more efficient than ever.
Our comprehensive software and mobile inspection app streamline the process, enabling staff and citizens to get to work sooner without unnecessary delays.
In British Columbia’s District of Sechelt, applicants can now schedule their inspections online — saving scheduling time for staff at the front counter while keeping builders in the loop with automatic status updates.
Book a demo with us today to learn why Cloudpermit is the right choice for modernizing inspections.
